Jail for Ballarat man who threw bullets at former partner

A BALLARAT man who threw bullets at his ex-partner after threatening to kill her and her young children has been jailed for 18 months.

Sentencing Heath Oakroot, 32, in Ballarat Magistrates Court on Wednesday, magistrate Cynthia Toose said it was the type of family violence which outraged the community.

"You threatened to rape her sister, you threatened to kill her 18-month-old child, you threatened to kill her eight-year-old daughter," Ms Toose said.

"These we're chilling actions, designed to menace her."

Ms Toose said such instances of family violence could not be tolerated, adding immediate imprisonment was the only option.

Tuesday's plea hearing in Ballarat Magistrates Court heard Oakroot forced his victim to accompany him back to a hotel room on June 28, threatening her get into a car by telling her he would rape her sister and kill her children.

The court heard the victim feared for her life and believed Oakroot was capable of carrying out the threats because she had seen him use a handgun in the past.

It was when Oakroot trapped the victim in a hotel room that he threw three bullets at her and told her they would be used on one of her friends.

Oakroot pleaded guilty to almost 20 charges, including making threats to kill, threatening to inflict serious injury, theft, dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime and driving offences.

Oakroot will be eligible for parole in one year. He was also fined $800.